Jar clip



I. A. BURGER March 31, 1953 JAR CLIP Filed March 19, 1949 I INVENTOR. IRVINE A. BURBER BY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 31, 1953 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAR CLIP Irving A. Burger, Stratford, Conn.

Application March 19, 1949, Serial No. 82,446

8 Claims. (01. 248-312) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in jar supporting clips and has particular relation to a simple and inexpensive clip adapted to yieldingly receive the neck of a jar and removably support the same in a suspended condition, with its openend closed or covered, whereby when the jar is transparent its contents are exposed for view and dirt, dust and the like are kept from entering the jar.

An object of the invention is to provide a clip for the purpose specified and which is easily mounted and may be made as a single unit adapted to receive and support one jar or which may be made in a strip form comprising a plurality of units.

Another object is to provide a clip having the characteristics specified and comprising mounting portions to be secured to the underside of a support and portions extending downwardly out of the plane of saidmounting portions and carrying side lip-like portions yieldable relatively and relative to said mounting portions to a limited extent and having free end portions, such free end portions diverging to provide an entrance throat for the entrance of the neck of a jar, said lip portions then curving outwardly or laterally from the inner limits of said diverging portions, high spots or points being provided past which the neck of a jar may be forced to a position between said curved portions, and said curved portions inwardly of said high spots or points curving toward one another and thus constitut ing stops to limit insertion of a jar neck.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view looking upwardly at a clip fastened to the underside of a support, the clip supporting a jar; Fig. 2 is a front edge view in multi-style of the clip supporting jars;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clip in the multistyle or form of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken as along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view showing a modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the clip of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 1-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view showing a further modification; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken as along the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring in detail to the drawing and at first more particularly to Figs. 1-4, at In is generally indicated a suitable support, such as a shelf or the like, and here shown as comprising a piece of wood. A portion of my improved clip, generally designated ii, is shown as secured to the underside of the shelf or other support II). This jar clip II is made up of sheet metal, although a plastic may be used and the clip may be molded. However, as illustrated, the clip is formed of a strip of sheet metal and comprises a plurality of jar holders or jar receiving openings of which two are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and identified as l2 and I3. As the description proceeds, it will become clear that my improved jar clip might comprise a single device or unit for the supporting of a single jar or it may comprise a strip constituted of two or more units, as desired.

The clip is especially designed for use in the home as in a home work shop or the like and its purpose is to support a jar in such manner that the contents of the jar are readily viewable and also in such manner that the jar may be easily removed from the support so that access may be had to its contents. Thus, the device may be used to mount jars from which baby food or the like has been removed and used and where a number of clips are employed the jars will be suspended from the clips so that at a glance the jar containing the desired size of nail, screw, bolt, etc. may be selected and then may be easily and quickly removed from the clip so that some of its contents may be removed.

Then the jar is easily replaced on its clip. With the suggested arrangement it will be seen the jars are supported in an out-of-the-way position and that they are suspended and preferably being of glass or other transparent material their contents may be determined at a glance. The present clip includes a feature whereby the upper end of the jar is closed when the latter is supported by the clip and this closing may be effected by the shelf or other support to which the clip is secured or the usual cover may be left on the jar or the clip itself may include a portion to span the upper end of the jar and close it.

The clip II is shown as comprising a body i4 consisting of a strip of sheet metal of the desired length. If the strip is only of a length, as considered from the left in Fig. 3 as terminated at the dot and dash line l5, then the strip provides for the making of but a single jar clip. On the other hand, the strip may be of greater length and as shown the strip is broken off or away at IS and as having the two jar neck receiving openings l2 and i3 whereby it is adapted for the mounting of more than one jar.

In making each clip unit, a portion of the metal strip M is cut away generally providing the opening l2 or [3, etc. and then the stock immediately about such opening is formed or pressed to pro vide a downwardly extending rear wall portion ll and corresponding side wall portions l8 with an inwardly directed lip or flange 19 at the lower edges of said wall portions. The mentioned openings pass through an edge of the stock l4 and in this portion of the openings the flange portions 2!: and 2! at the opposite sides of the opening are arranged in divergingrelation providing an entrance throat 22 which is somewhat wider measured along the edge of the clip than when measured inwardly of such edge. At the inner terminus of these diverging or inclined por tions, high points or stops 23 and 24 result and inwardly of such high points or stops the flange 19 comprises somewhat more than one-half of a ring or complete circle of approximately the diameter of the jar neck as will appear. a V

Preferably, the clips are made of a metal having some resilience and the general relationship of the parts is such that the flange or ledge I9 is partially receivable in an annular groove 26 in 4 since the shelf or support l0 effectively closes the ar.

Any desired number of individual clips may be' used on the bottom of a shelf or of shelves and the same is true if the clips are used in strip form wherein each strip includes a multiplicity of clips. It is easy to mount the clips by passing the screws 21 through holes 28 and it is not necessary that the strips be kept in any exact alignment although for appearance sake, this should be done. The fiat portions 29 of the clip at the sides and the rear of the openings l2 and 13 are merely disposed against the underside of the shelf and this serves to properly locate the flanges 19 with rSpect to such shelf. It is not necessary that the clips have their forward edges adjacent the forward edge of or aligned with the forward edge of the shelf and the only care need to be taken is that the clips are not placed so close to ether that the individual jars cannot be removed from any of the individual clips due to the location of other clips ahd their jars.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the clip there shown is generally designated 30 and while the and extending about the neck portion of a jar 25.

That is, the diameter or the jar neck measured across the bottom of the groove 26 is approximately that of the circle a portion of which is represented by the edge of the flange or lip 19. The clip is mounted as on the underside of the support ill by passing screws 21 through suitable openings 28 arranged one at each edge of each opening l2 and 13. The height of the wall portions H and 18 of the clip is preferably slightly less than the distance between the groove 20 and the top edge of therjar neck and the distance between the points 23 and 24 is slightly les than the diameter of the jar neck measured across the bottom of this groove. With this construction, the upper end of the jar may be brought against the underside of a shelf or support to and then the jar slid laterally, its neck entering through the throat 22 or the clip. Since this throat is slightly divergent, as explained above, entrance or the jar is facilitated.

When the jar comes to high points 23 and 2 5 it must be forced and there is a slight springing action and when the jar passes these points it moves back so that a goodly portion of the bottom wall of the groove 26 is lying against the curved edge portion of the flange 19 inwardly of the points 23 and 24. Owing to the height of the wall portions [7 and it, the upper end of the jar will be against the underside of the support or shelf I0 and thus closed to prevent dust sifting into the jar. If desired, it will be clear that the height of the wall portions H and I8 may be in creased to allow clearance for the mounting of the jar even if the same is fitted with its normal closure. In this connection it is noted that assuming the jar to be one from which baby food or the like has been used, the jar at the time of purchase was equipped with a closure and this closure may be used with the present cli although if the wall portions ll and [8 are of the height first described, the original closure is unnecessary same is shown as an individual clip it will be understood that if the material from which this clip is formed were long enough a plurality of clips might be formed along the length of such material. Clip 30 includes a body 3| of sheet metal which iS substantially flat across its upper side. A pair of properly spaced portions are lanee'd from the body 30 and then pressed there= from and such portions co iistitute elements gen erally designated 32 and 33 and which while of identical shape are arranged in reversed or op= posed relation. I

Portion 32 comprises a downwardly inclined Wall or Web 34 at its lower hd supporting a lip or usage including an inclined edge pertionss, a high po nt at and an arcuate portion 31, which latter ends in a projection 38. Similarly. the element 33 includes a doii nwardly inclined wall 39 at its lower end supporting a lip or flange iii-- eluding an inclined edge portion 40, a high point 4 and an aicuate portion 42 terminating in a projection 43. Since the elements 32 and 33 are laneed from the plate 3| at spaced points there remains an imperforate portion 44 between these elements.

Clip 31 may e mounted against the underside 0f a, shelf or the like by passing screws through holes 45 provided the clip tfid will waste the body or strip 3! against the iifiderside of the shelf andproperly locate the elements 32 and 33 with respect to the shelf. In this cohstructioh the inclined flange portions 35 and 40 define the opposite edges of an entrance throat while the portions 36 and}! function in the same manner as the portions 23 and 2d of the figures first de- I-Zb When a jar is to be inbu'nted on the clip 30, the upper or free end ofthe neck of the jar is disposed against the plate 3| with the jar aligned with the throat between the flange portions 35 and 40. Then the jar is shoved or moved laterally into this throat and forced past the high points 36 and 4! and movement of the jar is stopped by the projecti ns or horn-like-portions '38 and 43. In this construction, the height of the walls 34 and 39 is the same and will be the same as the height of the wall portions ll and I8 of the figures described above. Also, the distance between the points 36 and 41 is slightly less than the diamete of a jar neck measured across the bottom o f a groovezfi in such neck so that the jar must be forced past these high points 33 and M.

The elements 32 and 33 yield to permit of this. Then when the center of the jar has passed these points 36 and 4| it is easily moved into place and its movement is stopped by the projections 38 and 43. With this construction, the upper end of the jar is covered or closed as by the imperforate portion 44 of the clip and in addition the jar will not casually move out of place due to vibrations in the shelf or the like since for removal of the jar it must be forced past the high points 36 and 4| springing the clip portions 32 an 33 to accomplish this. Thus, with the clip 30 the jar is secured against casual release as in the case when the clip I l is used.

From the above it will be understood that the clip 3|] of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 will be used in the same or substantially the same manner as the clip ll of Figs. 1-4. For the purpose of strengthening clip 30, the rear edge portion of the metal strip from which the clip is formed is preferably bent down at right angles providing a strengthening rib or flange 46 along the entire rear edge of the clip. With this construction, in the event that the projections 38 and 43 do not stop lateral movement of the jar when it is being moved into place, flange 46 will accomplish that purpose.

In addition to the above, the flange 46 strengthening the clip 30 as described, the latter may be mounted, particularly when of a, length to support several jars, by a lesser number of screws. That is, a screw at each side of each jar receiving clip of a strip is unnecessary when the strip is strengthened by the rib or flange 45. Also, Owing to the presence of the web or part 44, the strip or clip 36 may be mounted against a, rough surface or may span perforations or the like and the jar will be easily moved into and out of the clip and have its upper end closed by the portion 44.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the clip there shown is generally designated 50 and the same is shown as molded of a suitable plastic. It includes the mounting portion or body 5| having the screw holes 52 therethrough. Also, clip 50 includes opposite side wall portions 53 and 54 (corresponding with the wall portions 18 of Figs. 1-4) carrying a flange or lip 55 corresponding with the flange or lip I 9 of the figures first described.

However, in Figs. 8 and 9, instead of the high points 23 and 24 of the structure first disclosed, I employ high points or lugs 56 and 51 on the upper side of the flange or lip 55 toward the entrance of the clip. With this construction, a jar is forced into the opening 58 of the clip with the upper edge of the jar neck against the underside of the body 5| of the clip 50. The distance between the upper surfaces of the high places or lugs 56 and 51 and the underside of the body 5| is less than the distance between the groove 26 in the jar neck and the upper end of the jar neck.

Therefore, it will be necessary to force the jar neck into the clip. This will result in a springing of the free end portions of the flange or lip 55 and after the jar neck passes the high places or lugs 56 and 51, the clip portions return to their normal relationship. Therefore, when the jar is mounted by the clip 50 it is held against casual movement out of the clip. In clip 50, this is accomplished by the high places or lugs 56 and 51, in the structure of Figs. 1-4 the same purpose is served by the high places 23 and 24 and in the clip 30 the stated purpose is served by the high places or points 36 and 4|.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. A clip adapted to receive the neck of a jar and lockingly support said jar comprising, a .flat mounting surface, an arcuate cutout disposed on a plane beneath said mounting surface and parallel thereto, a connecting sidewall between said arcuate cutout and said mounting surface, said connecting sidewall forming a continuous fulcrum at the juncture of said connecting sidewall and said mounting surface, a pair of high points and a converging throat coplanar therewith in said arcuate cutout, said arcuate cutout being adapted to engagingly mate with said jar neck and to extend forward of said jar neck to encompass more than half the circumference of said jar neck, said arcuate cutout terminating in said high points, said high points being defined by the juncture of said cutout with said converging throat, said converging throat havin a wider span than the jar neck at the opening of said throat and a lesser span than said jar neck at said high points, said high points flexing said continuous fulcrum upon slideably inserting said jar neck along said throat to a position beyond said high points to thereby lock said jar within said arcuat cutout.

2. The clip as in claim 1 wherein said body is of sheet metal and said walls and flanges are integral portions lanced and pressed from said body and whereby said arcuate flanges at places remote from said high points terminate in projections spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a circle of which said arcuate portions are arcs.

3. A jar clip for mounting a jar against the underside'of a shelf and closing said jar against the underside of said shelf having a neck and an annular groove in said neck below the upper end thereof, said clip comprising a flat body, a pair of resilient spaced walls depending from said body, flanges on the lower edges of the respective walls and extending laterally toward one another, said flanges including end portions defining an entrance throat, high points on the upper side of each of said flanges at the inner end of said entrance throat, said flanges in wardly of said high points having curved edges comprisingarcs of a, circle having its center inwardly of said highpoints, said arcuate flange portions terminating in projections spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a circle of which said arcuate flange portions comprise arcs, said body having perforations therethrough for the passage of securing means to secure said body to the underside of a support, and said perforations located laterally of said resilient walls and intermediate the ends of the latter whereby said resilient walls may flex about fulcrums lying in the junctures of the body and walls to permit of swinging of said high points downwardly away from one another on said fulcrums as a jar neck is forced against them to permit of movement of a jar neck past them to have its groove partly receive said arcuate flange portions and by action of said resilient walls close said jar against the underside of said shelf.

4. The clip as in claim 3 wherein said body and walls and flanges are an integral molded part and said body includes an imperforate intermediate portion extending between said walls.

5. The clip as in claim 3 wherein said body and walls and flanges are an integral molded part and said body includes an imperforate intermediate portion extending between said walls and end portions at the outer sides of said walls and wherein said perforations are through said end portions of the body.

6. A clip adapted to 'yieidingly receive the neck of a jar and removably support said jar comprising, a flat mounting surface, an arcuate cutout disposed on a plane beneath said mounting surface and parallel thereto, a connecting sidewall between said arcuate cutout and said mounting surface, said connecting sidewall forming a continuous fulcrum at the juncture of said connecting sidewall and said mounting surface, a pair of high points and a converging throat coplanar therewith in said arcuate cutout, said arcuate cutout being adapted to engagingly mate with said jar neck and to extend forward thereof to encompass more than half the circumference of said jar neck, said arcuate cutout terminating in said high points, said high points being defined by the juncture of said arcuate cutout with said converging throat, said converging throat having a wider span than the jar neck at the opening of said throat and a lesser span than said jar neck at said high points, said continuous fulcrum flexing upon slideably inserting said jar neck along said throat to a position beyond said high points to thereby yieldingly lock said jar neck within said aroiiate cutout.

7. A clip adapted to receive the neck of a jar and lo'ol'riiigl; support said jar against the underside ofa shelf comprising, a flat mounting surface adapted to be secured to said underside of said shelf, an arcuate cutout disposed on a plane beneath said mounting surface and parallel thereto, a connecting sidewall between said arcuate cutout and said mounting surface, said connecting sidewall forming a continuous fulcrum at the junctiiiof said connecting sidewall and said'mounting surface, a pair of high points and a converging throat coplanar therewith in said arcuate cutout, said arcuate cutout being adapted to engaging'ly mate with said jar neck and to extend forward of said jar neckto encompass more than half the circumference of said jar neck, said arcuate cutout terminating in said high points, said high points being defined by the juncture of said arcuate cutout with said converging throat, said converging throat having a wider span than the jar neck at the opening of said throat and a lesser span than said jar neck at said high points, said continuous fulcrum flexin upon slideably inserting said jar neck along said throat to a position beyo nd said high points to thereby closingly force said jar within said arcuate cutout against the underside of said shelf.

8. A jar clip for mounting and locking a jar having a beaded edge in the neck comprising, a mounting surface for said clip, a neck locking surface separated by connecting sidewalls from said mounting surface, said sidewalls being of less height than the distance from the top of said jar to the bottom edge of said beaded edge, said neck locking surface having an arcuate cutout and a pair of high points and a converging throat all in the same plane and disposed beneath said mounting surface and parallel thereto, said arcuate cutout ending in said high points and extending forward of the center of the jar so as to encompass more than degrees of the jar neck, said high points being formed by the juncture of said arcuate cutout with said converging throat, said throat having a greater span than the jar neck at the forward end and tapering to said high points, said high points having a lesser span therebetween than the jar neck, said connecting walls forming a fulcrum at the juncture of said walls with said mounting surface whereby the said connecting walls are caused to flex downward and outward upon said jar neck being forced against said high points thereby allowing said jar neck to slideably pass said high points to rest within said neck locking surface and said sidewalls to flexingly lock said jar within said arcuate outrun; h

IRVING A. BURGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Armstrong et al. sad. Nov, 14, 1944 

